Ragnarok hits Australia

The game is based on a fantasy comic series invented by Myung-Jin Lee, which uses manga style graphics and a selection of various characters for users to play with.

The game is known as a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) amongst the gaming community, and uses a series of interconnected "zone servers" to connect users worldwide on to the game's fantasy world.

According to Ongamenet that game is currently serviced in 18 countries worldwide and has over 26 million players.

Ongamenet described the game as a "role-playing game focussed on community features".

"TV-animation of Ragnarok is grabbing eyes of Japanese animation lovers. The viewing rate has increased by 2.6 percent in the last week and the populations of Ragnarok fans have increased so much, they beat the ratings of another popular cartoon channel," the company stated in a release issued last week.

Ongamenet said that up until now Australian players have had to access Ragnorak from overseas providers - with modem users exempted from any access - but now the game will be "easily accessible" in Australia with ADSL/cable or modem connections.

Australian prices for the services are not yet known, as Ongamenet was not available for comment, however US prices begin at US$7.99 for 30 hours of play. The game is scheduled to be available from 1 September this year.